Category Archives: Individual Defence

The 4 Man Closeout Drill provides an opportunity for multiple players to practice and refine their closeout technique. The 4 Man Closeout Drill looks to provide a high repetition drill to specifically work on the closeout specifics within one or two dribbles of initially guarding the ball. Within the game of basketball, it is this time that is responsible for the majority of defensive errors in the half court. Utilising this drill will help to promote the understanding amongst players of what exactly the reads are for defending a player initially.

In the diagram below the set-up for the 4 Man Closeout Drill is displayed. Four offensive players position themselves around the three-point line. Each offensive player has a ball and will be able to move in isolation once the defenders have completed the closeout.

4 Man Closeout Drill Diagram 1

The four defenders move into position around the key way. Two defenders positioned at the elbows (One and Two), and two more defenders in the low post. Players are not to rotate to the same position each time they repeat the drill. Instead rotating through the different starting points will allow players to practice closing out to different areas of the floor, left and right as well as high or low.

The defenders move into position around the keyway and start in a defensive stance ready for the instruction of the coach. On the first coach’s whistle the defenders start to pitter patter while still maintaining their overall defensive stance. On the coach’s second whistle the defensive players slide to towards the split line. The defensive players tag / clap hands.

Once the defensive players have touched hands they then proceed to closeout to one of the offensive players on the three-point line. Defenders One (1) and Two (2) closeout to the offensive players who are positioned at the foul line extended. Defenders three (3) and Four (4) closeout to the players who are forming the two-guard front at the top of the keyway.

The defenders in the 4 Man Closeout Drill are to maintain good defensive principles by closing out to the high side shoulder of the offensive player (Diagram 2). Forcing the ball handler to dribble towards the baseline and ultimately where the help will be positioned normally during a game. Any dribble by an offensive player to the middle of the floor must be aggressively denied so the ball handler is forced to turn back towards the sideline.

4 Man Closeout Drill Diagram 2

The offensive players are not allowed to drive towards the basket, as with limited space due to the number of players involved in the drill. Offensive players can move as far as to the edge of the keyway.

To work within this limited space offensive players can utilise one or two dribbles, but not as part of a drive to the basket. The offensive players should be encouraged to utilise these dribbles and incorporate fakes such as pass or shot to tray and encourage the defenders to move out of position or jump on the shot fake leaving the ground.

Helping players to overcome their desire to jump on a shot fake is one of the great benefits of the 4 Man Closeout Drill. Through regular use and attention to detail a team that utilises this drill has the opportunity to develop players capable of making better reads in one on one situations and not find themselves out of position during games.

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The Triangle Shot Blocking Drill looks to provide an opportunity for a defensive player to practice their shot blocking around the basketball hoop. Shot blocking is a very challenging activity when initially a player tries to perform the technique. The Triangle Shot Blocking Drill looks to provide a realistic situation, with the potential to have multiple repetitions in a short space of time.

The Triangle Shot Blocking Drill is built around a common scenario where a defender has to adjust to ball rotation and move to cut off an offensive players advance to the hoop and then undertake shot blocking duties.

The Triangle Shot Blocking Drill starts with two offensive players (Three and Four) positioned on opposite sides of the keyway at the double blocks. These players are facing the basketball hoop.

Triangle Shot Blocking Drill Diagram 1

The defender (Five) starts in front of the basketball hoop facing towards the top of the keyway.

The coach stands at the top of the keyway with a basketball ready to start the drill on the pass.

The coach passes to either offensive player (Three or Four). As the ball leaves the coaches hands a call of “Go” lets the defender (Five) know they are allowed to move and start to defend the basket.

Once Three (3) or Four (4) have received the pass they can attempt to perform a lay-up towards the basketball hoop. The offensive players do not need to dribble the basketball, only take one step and then up to the basket.

On the verbal cue of “Go” the defender should swing step to face the side the ball goes to. To do this the defender will pivot on the foot furthest away from the side the ball goes to. This will allow the defender to drop their foot closest to the offensive player directly into the driving lane and from the very first step start to reduce the angle for the lay-up can be performed.

The Triangle Shot Blocking Drill finishes once the offensive player performs the shot.

The Five (5) must continue to box-out following the shot and shot blocking attempt.

The ball is to be recovered and passed back to the coach with each player resuming their original starting positions.

Variation

A variation for the Triangle Shot Blocking Drill is to rotate the players around with each repetition of the drill. For example the defender in one repetition moves into the offensive player’s position they are playing against. Defence to offense, and offense to defence. This will help players continually move and keep engaged into the drill.

The Triangle Shot Blocking Drill looks to help players develop the challenging skill of shot blocking. In the modern game teams must have a defensive presence around the basket.

The Steal like Shot Blocking is one of the most poorly understood skills in the game of basketball. Within the rules, but very rarely ever seen to be taught. The steal has the ability to change a game, swing momentum and frustrate an opposition. Ninety percent of the challenge behind stealing a ball comes down to being in the right place at the right time, or more commonly called defensive awareness. Being able to pick the right situations from the wrong will lead to more success and reduce the adverse risk of attempting to make a steal only to find that a player has been left unguarded and free on the court.

By explaining to players when the right situations are for a steal to be attempted a coach helps define what an acceptable risk is without completely shutting down the ability of a player to attempt this technique.

Spin

When facing down the floor a player can react much quicker and have a better chance of avoiding a possible stealing situation. It is this break in vision that makes the spin move vulnerable to a possible steal (Photo Source: kowarski)

While playing off the ball in the backcourt a good opportunity is always present to steal the ball if the dribbler attempts to spin. This is because the action of the spin means the dribbler will often lose sight of the direction they are heading momentarily. This creates a wider than usual window of opportunity for the off the ball defender to cover ground and be at the right point, at the right time.

Some dribblers are more prone to utilising the spin move than others. For those players who heavily use the technique the consequences of a steal or two can break their confidence and really affect their entire game. Not to mention a steal in the backcourt often leads to a scoring opportunity.

Low Post

Playing in the post position is a very challenging role. Players find this area of the court to be where the heaviest amount of contact is often made and tolerated by officials. Offensive players in the low post often find themselves having to go “all in” when attempting a post move so they are able to play through the defensive contact and still make a scoring play.

For this reason the first dribble of the post player when attempting a move the basket is often very powerful and they readily over commit to the action. Once an off the ball defender starts to understand the pattern of the movement by the post player, attempting to steal the ball on the first dribble becomes a very effective strategy.

Many post players only use one dribble when working into the low post so this one, and sometimes only dribble is the slim opportunity for the steal to happen. Timing must be perfect.

Another benefit of this time is that when performing the low post scoring movement the offense player will often initiate contact in an attempt to take as short a route to the basket as possible. This by way of the offensive players own initiation of contact, reduces the range of angles possibly taken to the basket. This allows a defender off the ball attempting to make the steal to have a greater chance of success in picking the right path the post player is likely to take to the basket.

On-Ball Screen

When players are trained in how to use an on-ball screen effectively they are often taught to take a minimum of two dribbles to assist with separation from the screener, achieving maximum speed and time for assessing the array of options available. It is following the first dribble that an opportunity for a steal is at its greatest.

Following the first dribble the player is working their way up to full speed. This makes changing directions or being able to fully anticipate everything happening on the floor that little bit harder for the dribbler. This is the ideal scenario for attempting a steal.

Another aspect that makes this time beneficial is because as a natural habit of separating the ball from the on-ball defender, the dribbler will normally have the ball on the outside of their body so to shield each dribble. This limitation for where the ball is placed further increases the chances of success for the defender off the ball attempting the steal.

As mentioned earlier with the post player movement, a similar situation is reflected in the dribbler once exiting the screen. Because of the on-ball pressure and often contact the ability to change direction is limited and a defender off the ball looking to make a steal should be able to anticipate the path of the offensive player more easily.

The steal forms a very valuable tool which can be overused. However if well-drilled and good instructions is provided about the right type of scenarios to attempt a steal, than success can be achieved with acceptable level of risk being undertaken.

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill is a good activity for having players practice the fundamental skill of the defensive slide. Compact in layout, the drill looks to promote activity and repetition while using only a confined space. Perfect for those coaches working with multiple teams in very close proximity. The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill looks to work on the technique of a player’s defensive slide while also varying the angle and line of movement.

When performed at a low intensity the Individual Defensive Keyway Drill can be used as a warm-up activity. However, the activity can also be used as a way to work players on their conditioning. High repetitions and intensity helps make the mundane simplicity of the drill challenging and ongoing. If used sporadically as an activity the Individual Defensive Keyway Drill can be a sort and sharp refocusing tool on the technique of player’s defensive footwork, hand positioning and overall sliding ability.

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill starts with Athletes start lined up along baseline.

Individual Defensive Keyway Drill Diagram 1

Players will enter the court at the short corner. Athletes face baseline and defensive slide across key way to double block. The athletes drop step and defensive slide to elbow.

After exiting the keyway athletes’ then closeout to the coach who is positioned at the short corner.

Athletes then mirror the ball and maintain spear hand principles, following which they rejoin the line.

Points of Emphasis

Players must maintain low and wide stance

All players must carry hands at all times when on the floor

Quick footwork at the change of direction

Players must sprint to the close-out

During close-out the player must not come out of a stance, but remain low and ready to shift body weight on change of direction of the ball handler

When closing out two hands contest the shot before collapsing into mirroring position

Variations:

Athletes can change form open to closed defensive stance.

Two lines can be used so players must navigate the keyway while traffic is within the confined space

The Individual Defensive Keyway Drill looks to promote quick and sharp footwork. Players who do not display these characteristics will soon, with some work be better prepared for the demands of defensive work.

Sometimes as a coach, you just want your players to play and the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill is great for that very purpose. The drill helps with both the individual offensive and defensive skills of players. Pushing players to rely on their own ability to create and make shots close to the basket while under heavy pressure. From the defensive perspective the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill forces defenders to work harder to challenge an easier shot from any already short-range position.

The strength of this drill is across a couple of areas. The first is the ability to apply pressure to both the offensive and defensive players. As mentioned earlier with the ball starting within the keyway the assumption for most people would be that the offense would have a sizeable advantage. This however creates pressure on the offensive player to actually fulfil that belief. Anything less than a score results in not being able to make the easy play.

This is the opposite for defenders who are focused on making the easy position’s advantage reduced by challenging every shot to force the mistake. If the offensive player scores, in the defenders mind it is that they did not take away the advantage. With this simplistic view, the drill becomes a good source of focus for defenders. There is no help defence, just a one on one situation.

Another key benefit from the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill is that it provides a high number of repetitions in a very short amount of time. Because the start of the drill is in or around the keyway, the time which is wasted between repetitions can be kept to a minimum. What compounds this benefit of a high repetition count is the game like scenario created.

The 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill starts with two players under the basket. One player on offense (One) and the other on defence (Two).

1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill Diagram 1

One (1) will start with the ball. One (1) throws the ball out in front of them so it lands somewhere near the edge of the keyway. One (1) needs to put an amount of backspin on the ball so it remains within the three-point line.

As soon as the ball is released One (1) moves to secure the ball and pivot to face up to the basketball hoop.

Two (2) follows in the footsteps of One (1) ready to meet the pivot by the offensive player with considerable pressure.

1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill Diagram 2

From this point, once One (1) has caught the ball and pivoted towards the basket the 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill becomes “live”.

Points of Emphasis

The defensive player must look to apply pressure to One (1). With the drill starting so close to the basket there is really no option to contain only by backing off.

The offensive players should look to develop a sequence of moves in helping to score no matter the situation. Shooting, a strong onside dribble move and then finally a counter move are all aspects that should be developed to help One (1) become a better all-round player.

Play until either the offensive player scores or the defender secures possession.

Boxing-out is important and should be emphasised at every opportunity

The 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill is a useful drill for building upon technical skills often needing to be developed by players. These technical skills can sometimes be practiced without leading to a competitive drill situation. The 1 v 1 Turn and Play Offensive Drill provides this opportunity for players to gain a high number of repetitions coupled with a quality competitive situation. The drill can be implemented following a technical breakdown activity to provide excellent scaffolding and drill progression.